[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64823-64825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 64824]]

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a modification and 
replacement affecting the center and wing fuel tanks. All affected 
airplanes would require modification of the wiring of the fuel quantity 
indicating probes of the center and wing fuel tanks. Some affected 
airplanes would also require replacement of the high-level sensors of 
the additional center fuel tank with new, improved sensors. These 
actions are necessary to prevent overheating of the fuel probes due to 
a short circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate expansion of the 
area within the additional center fuel tank. Such conditions could 
result in fuel vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source and/or 
consequent fire/explosion in the center fuel tank. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-153-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that investigations done by the 
manufacturer have revealed a potential risk of a 28-volt direct current 
short circuit, external to the fuel tank, of fuel quantity indicating 
(FQI) wiring installed in harnesses that contain wiring for other power 
systems. This short circuit could lead to overheating of the fuel 
probes and risk of an explosion. In addition, testing of the additional 
center fuel tank revealed that compliance with Joint Aviation 
Regulation 25.0989, which requires a 2% expansion of the center fuel 
tank, could not be attained due to sagging of the bladder. To correct 
this deficiency a new, improved high-level sensor has been developed 
that is longer and senses the fuel at a lower level, which reduces the 
fuel volume and allows for the 2% expansion. Overheating of the fuel 
probes due to a short circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate 
expansion of the area within the additional center fuel tank, could 
result in fuel vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source, and/or 
consequent fire/explosion in the center fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1087, Revision 02, dated 
June 10, 2003, which describes procedures for modification of the 
wiring of the FQI probes of the center and wing fuel tanks. The 
modification includes the following:
    [sbull] Installation of fused adaptors for the FQI probes of the 
center tanks.
    [sbull] Installation of fused plug connectors for the FQI probes of 
the wing tanks.
    [sbull] Installation of fused adapters between the external wiring 
harness and the in-tank wiring of the connectors on the center fuel 
tank wall.
    [sbull] Operational testing of the refuel/defuel system, a leak 
test, a test of the pressure switch of the fuel transfer pump, and an 
operational test of the individual motor of the transfer valve, and 
repair if necessary.
    Airbus also has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1086, Revision 01, 
dated October 23, 2002, applicable to certain Airbus Model A319-115 and 
-133 series airplanes. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacement of the existing high-level sensors with new, improved 
sensors. The replacement includes installation of new, improved 
sensors, bonding leads, and a placard. Procedures are provided for 
operational tests of the additional center fuel tanks following the 
installation, and repair if necessary.
    The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
French airworthiness directive 2002-220(B) R1, dated October 15, 2003, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 64825]]

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 468 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take between 10 and 22 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Required parts would cost between $670 and $5750 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD is estimated to be between $617,760 and $3,360,240, 
or between $1,320 and $7,180 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to do the replacement of the high-
level sensors, it would take about 80 work hours, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be free of charge. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by 
this AD is estimated to be $5,200 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Airbus: Docket 2002-NM-153-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category; as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1087, Revision 02, dated June 10, 2003; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1086, Revision 01, dated October 23, 2002.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of the fuel probes due to a short 
circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate expansion of the area 
within the additional center fuel tank, which could result in fuel 
vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source and/or consequent fire/
explosion in the center fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Modification/Replacement

    (a) Within 4,000 flight hours or 30 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Do the applicable actions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Accomplishment 
of the modification before the effective date of this AD per Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-28-1087, dated July 17, 2001; or Revision 01, 
dated March 3, 2003; or accomplishment of the replacement before the 
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1086, 
dated November 30, 1999; as applicable; is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in paragraph 
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1087, Revision 02, dated June 10, 2003: Modify the wiring of the 
fuel quantity indicating probes of the center and wing fuel tanks by 
doing all the actions specified in paragraphs 3.A. through 3.D. 
(including operational testing and any applicable repair) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the actions 
per the service bulletin. Any applicable repair must be done before 
further flight.
    (2) For airplanes defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1086, Revision 01, dated October 23, 2002: Prior to or concurrent 
with accomplishment of paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, replace the 
high-level sensors of the additional center fuel tanks by doing all 
the actions specified in paragraphs 3.A through 3.D. (including 
operational testing and any applicable repair) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the actions per the service 
bulletin. Any applicable repair must be done before further flight.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-220(B) R1, dated October 15, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 10, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28609 Filed 11-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P